Taxis in Beijing

Taxis in Beijing Reviews

After spending 6 wonderful days in Beijing just thought I would offer a little advise on taking a taxi to go anywhere in Beijing. 1- make sure you have your hotel name and address in Chinese with you as most taxi drivers know no Enlgish or any other langauge other than Mandarin. Have your hotel get a taxi for you and explain to the driver your destination. 2-when hailing a taxi on the street do not let the driver give you a price to take you to your destination, make sure that he turns on the meter. Also it helps if you know what direction you need to go and let the driver know if he's starts going in the opposite direction ( this happened to me). 3- late at night it can be much harder to get a taxi from some of the out of the way, non tourist areas

Other than that the taxis are very clean and 99% of the drivers are honest and courteous and inexpensive as compared to those in the states.

Taxis in Beijing generally a good way to get around watch out for colusion at tourist spotsNov 25, 2011

Generally taxis are an inexpensive way to navigate the massive expanse that is beijing. However, we aware that if you see a large group of taxis waiting in front of a tourist spot or train station that it is likely that they will be in collusion with each other to over charge a fixed rate to a destination and you can expect this rate to be at least double the metered fare. If they quote you a price to a destination walk away and hail one off the street around the corner. Also, be aware that if you will have to pay 2 to 3 RMB more than the fare shown for a fuel sur-charge this is normal and should be posted on the window of the taxi.

It is important to know that many, if not most, taxi drivers in Beijing will not understand English, or any other language but Mandarin. Further, they do not read in languages other than Mandarin. Make sure that after you make your hotel reservation, you have the hotel email the name and directions to the hotel in Mandarin to you. You should print that out and hand it to the driver. As well, for any destination you are going to have the concierge write in Mandarin where you are going on a card...and of course, your return information as well.

Another tip...all reputable taxis should run the meter. If a cab driver is giving you a flat rate, you are getting ripped off and probably paying up to 10 times more than the going rate!! This is a problem in some touristy areas, but I found that going to a nearby hotel for the cab deterred that behavior.

If you want to wander around Beijing, China and you do not want to join any travel tour or rent a car, the perfect choice is going by taxi.

There are many companies running taxi business in Beijing. I have tried the ones that has green body with a big yellow line in the middle.

All taxi is paid by RMB. The driver usually can not speak English. So, do not forget to bring the name of the place where you want to go, written in Chinese. Better, with pictures of it. In case, the driver can not read, which is very rare, you should also keep the phone number of the destination place and give him the mobile phone to let him/her make a call.

They use meters and it is quite cheap compare to Western European taxis.

The number is a lot. Just stop them on the right place; at taxi stands. Sometimes, you can also hail them from the side of the street.

We
landed at the Beijing International Airport and made it through
customs. After getting our bags, we went outside for a taxi to the
hotel. After going outside, a woman in a blue blazer with a na…BeijingTaxi Service” asked if we needed a taxi. I
said we were going to the Park Plaza Hotel…